Bridgeton pot grower gets prison time

Published: Monday, April 29, 2013 at 07:16 PM.

A Bridgeton man was sentenced to 35 to 51 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to two counts of trafficking in marijuana and one count of manufacturing marijuana.

John Michael Wallace, 50, received the sentence last week in Craven County Superior Court.

According to indictments filed March 11, U.S. Forest Service Officer Steve Barnett conducted a vehicle stop on a minivan driven by Wallace.

The road was closed because of public safety during a wildfire.

During the search of Wallace’s minivan, Barnett found 80 gallons of pond water in containers in the van. The officer found Wallace to be muddy with scratches on his arms.

Wallace’s condition led the officer to believe that Wallace had been in the woods.

Wallace’s criminal history was checked; he had prior marijuana convictions. The U.S. Forest Service made an aerial surveillance of the area and discovered four plots with 177 marijuana plants. Officers also conducted video surveillance of the area and observed Wallace tending to the plants.

A Bridgeton man was sentenced to 35 to 51 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to two counts of trafficking in marijuana and one count of manufacturing marijuana.

John Michael Wallace, 50, received the sentence last week in Craven County Superior Court.

According to indictments filed March 11, U.S. Forest Service Officer Steve Barnett conducted a vehicle stop on a minivan driven by Wallace.

The road was closed because of public safety during a wildfire.

During the search of Wallace’s minivan, Barnett found 80 gallons of pond water in containers in the van. The officer found Wallace to be muddy with scratches on his arms.

Wallace’s condition led the officer to believe that Wallace had been in the woods.

Wallace’s criminal history was checked; he had prior marijuana convictions. The U.S. Forest Service made an aerial surveillance of the area and discovered four plots with 177 marijuana plants. Officers also conducted video surveillance of the area and observed Wallace tending to the plants.

The total weight of the plants was 88 pounds.

Along with his prison sentence, Wallace was ordered to pay a $25,000 fine, court costs and a $600 lab fee to the State Bureau of Investigation.

“This case demonstrates good observation by law enforcement officers and a thorough investigation to build a strong case,” said Craven County District Attorney Scott Thomas.